Expand the Rent NOW!

[Dooley]

Louisville, mired in the Kragthorpe coaching era, decides to increase their stadium capacity to 55,000 in a year that they couldn't sell out their stadium. Reward: ACC

Rutgers, after 100 years of well-documented mediocre (I'm being kind) football and tremendous debt, decides to increase their stadium capacity to 55,000. Reward: B1G

One of the reasons given for UConn being passed up for conference realignment was athletic department budget and a small stadium. Assuming that the ACC or another conference will look towards the Big East again at some point, let's compare stadium sizes:

USF: Raymond James Stadium, NFL stadium 60,000
Cincinnati: Nippert small on-campus 35,000 stadium BUT have the ability to schedule at Paul Brown, NFL 60,000+ stadium
Temple: Lincoln Financial Field, NFL Stadium 66,000

If Rentschler Field was designed and built to accommodate an expansion, NOW is the time to do it. Not later. Not after breakfast! NOW. Proactive thinking IS rewarded and it's time for UConn to think proactively. Expand the Rent NOW!

 

[whaler11]

Heres the thing. The next expansion would pass UConn on too many empty seats.

 

[Dooley]

Heres the thing. The next expansion would pass UConn on too many empty seats.

That part doesn't matter. By the time the next wave of conference realignment starts, the expansion won't be COMPLETE. It will be completed in time for the 2014 or 2015 season, in time for our new conference. Other schools and conferences want to see money being poured into athletics (specifically football) to grow their product. Just seeing the tall cranes when they drive by on I-84 will send a message that UConn isn't backing down and will continue to grow its football program.

 

[uconNYC]

Kill two birds with one stone. Hire a big time coach that excites the fanbase. Fans flock to the Rent. Expansion of stadium needed.

 

[whaler11]

That part doesn't matter. By the time the next wave of conference realignment starts, the expansion won't be COMPLETE. It will be completed in time for the 2014 or 2015 season, in time for our new conference. Other schools and conferences want to see money being poured into athletics (specifically football) to grow their product. Just seeing the tall cranes when they drive by on I-84 will send a message that UConn isn't backing down and will continue to grow its football program.

I know. Was joke.

 

[Dooley]

Kill two birds with one stone. Hire a big time coach that excites the fanbase. Fans flock to the Rent. Expansion of stadium needed.

EXACTLY. If you can't beat 'em, follow their model. Expand your stadium when you suck then hire an exciting coach to make the fanbase go bonkers. Seems to work everywhere else, why not here??

 

[Dooley]

I know. Was joke.

Sorry. I go pee-pee in your Coke.